J-Team Appraisers Inc. has answers to "Frequently Asked Questions"

J-Team Appraisers Inc. is always ready to elaborate on any inquiries you might have about appraisals in Sneads Ferry and Onslow County. Contact us today to see how we can help you with your specific valuation problems.

Describe an appraisal
Describe what an appraiser does
What would cause me to require your services?
Is an appraisal the same as a home inspection?
Is an appraisal the same as a comparative market analysis(CMA)?
What are the contents of an appraisal report?
After completing the appraisal, what assurance is there that the value conclusion is trustworthy?
What are the requirements to be a certified appraiser?
Who do appraisers work for?
Where does J-Team Appraisers Inc. get the data used to estimate values in Onslow County or other areas?
Why should I hire a licensed appraiser?
What exactly is PMI and how can I get rid of it?
Should I do anything in advance of the appraisal inspection
How does an appraiser define "Market Value"?
Does the appraisal belong to the bank or the consumer?
I want to get more for my house. Where should I spend money renovating?



Describe an appraisal   (Back to top)

An appraisal is an inspection that concludes with an opinion of value. There are three "common approaches to value" which assists the real estate appraiser come to this opinion or valuation. The Cost Approach is one of the processes that real estate appraisers use to find value; it involves figuring what the improvements would cost without physical deterioration, plus the land value. Another of the methods is the Sales Comparison Approach - which concerns making a comparison to other similar properties within a close vicinity which have recently sold. Being the most commonly used approach, the Sales Comparison Approach is generally the most precise and best indicator of market value for a house. The third approach is the Income Approach, which is of most importance in appraising income producing properties - it deals with estimating what an investor would pay based on the income generated by the property.

Describe what an appraiser does   (Back to top)

An appraiser generates a fair and credible determination of market value, in the support of real estate exchanges. Appraisers exhibit their findings in appraisal reports.


What would cause me to require your services?   (Back to top)

There are many reasons to order an appraisal with the usual reason being real estate and mortgage transactions. Some other reasons for ordering an appraisal report include:
  • To get a loan.
  • To lower your property taxes.
  • To demonstrate a homeowner's acquired equity and remove Primary Mortgage Insurance.
  • To challenge inflated property taxes.
  • If you need to take care of an estate.
  • To provide you a negotiating tool when purchasing real estate.
  • To find an honest sales price when putting your home on the market.
  • To defend your rights if your property is being taken by means of eminent domain in a condemnation case.
  • Because a government agency such as the IRS requires it.
  • If you ever find yourself in a lawsuit.
If you need more information about the appraisal process, please click here.


Is an appraisal the same as a home inspection?   (Back to top)

Home inspectors do not generate an opinion of value and do not do appraisal reports. The point of a home inspection is to investigate the structure of the home from foundation to top. Commonly, a home inspection report will explain the amenities and the requirements of the property: air conditioning (weather permitting), electrical services, the condition of the heating system, the plumbing; then the structural capacity of the home such as the attic, exposed insulation, walls, floors, ceilings, windows, then the foundation, basement and visible structures.

Is an appraisal the same as a comparative market analysis(CMA)?   (Back to top)

To be blunt, it's apples and oranges. The CMA utilizes market trends to generate most of their business. An appraisal utilizes comparable sales that can be proven by public record. Area and building prices are also important in an appraisal. A CMA delivers a "ball park figure." An appraisal delivers a defensible and carefully documented opinion of value.

But the biggest difference is who's behind the report. Real estate agents, who may not have a true grasp of valuation methods or the entire market, write CMA's. The appraisal is created by a licensed, certified professional who has made a career out of valuing properties. Likewise, the agent has something at stake since they get a commission based on the property's selling price whereas the appraiser is bound by a code of ethics to accept a previously agreed upon sum for assignments, regardless of their value conclusion.

What are the contents of an appraisal report?   (Back to top)

Every appraisal must reflect a credible value opinion and must clearly state the following:
  • Who engaged the appraiser and other intended users.
  • How the appraisal is supposed to be used.
  • The appraisal's purpose.
  • Precisely what "value" attribute is being reported and what that value means.
  • The effective date of the appraiser's opinions and conclusions.(Sometimes this is in the past or maybe the future for new construction!)
  • Characteristics of the property that have a bearing on the value, including: location, physical characteristics, legal attributes, economic factors, the property rights valued, and non-real estate items included in the appraisal, such as personal property, permanent equipment installations and even intangible items.
  • Any known easements, restrictions, encumbrances, leases, reservations, covenants, contracts, declarations, special assessments, ordinances, and the like.
  • Division of interest, such as fractional interest, physical segment and partial holding.
  • The scope of work considered when completing the assignment.
For a more in depth view of what goes into an appraisal report click here: Sample Appraisal Report


After completing the appraisal, what assurance is there that the value conclusion is trustworthy?   (Back to top)

In communicating an appraisal report, each appraiser must ensure the following:
  • That the information analysis contained in the appraisal was proper.

  • That major errors of omission or commission were not committed individually or collectively.

  • That appraisal services were not conducted in a careless or negligent fashion.

  • The final appraisal report was easy to explain, credible and defensible.
To become a state licensed appraiser, there are education requirements as well as practical experience that must be attained. Likewise, appraisers must stick to a stringent industry code of ethics and respect national standards of practice for real estate appraisal. The guidelines for developing an appraisal and communicating its results are guaranteed by enforcement of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).


   (Back to top) Regulations regarding licensing and certification of Real Estate Appraisers vary from state to state. However, licensing and certification typically translates to many hours of classroom study, tests and experience working under a supervisor. Once an appraiser is licensed, he/she is required to engage in continuing education courses in order to keep the license current. To see the specific requirements for any state click here.

Who do appraisers work for?   (Back to top)

Mortgage lenders are an appraiser's most likely client, using their services to ensure real estate involved in a mortgage transaction is enough to cover a loan balance in the case of default. Appraisers also provide opinions in litigation cases, tax matters and investment decisions.

Where does J-Team Appraisers Inc. get the data used to estimate values in Onslow County or other areas?   (Back to top)

Collecting information is one of the primary activities of an appraiser. Data can be divided into Specific or General. Specific data is taken from the property itself; Location, condition, amenities, size and other specific data are noted by the appraiser during an inspection.

General data is collected from a number of places. Local Multiple Listing Services (MLS) have information on recently sold homes that could be used as comparables. Tax records and other courthouse documents reveal actual sales prices in a market. Appraisers often need to report when a property is in a flood zone, and that information is retrieved from a FEMA data outlet such as a la mode's InterFlood service.

And most importantly, the appraiser assembles general data from his or her past experience in doing assignments for other houses in the same market.


Why should I hire a licensed appraiser?   (Back to top)

If you're involved in any kind of financial decision and the value of your home is relevant, you'll want to hire a licensed appraiser. If you're selling your house, an appraisal helps you set a price that maximizes profit and reduces time on the market. If you're buying, it makes sure you don't overpay. If you're engaged in an estate settlement or divorce, it ensures that property is divided fairly. Simply put, a house is often the single, largest financial asset anybody owns. Knowing its true value means you can make smart financial decisions.


What exactly is PMI and how can I get rid of it?   (Back to top)

PMI is the common abbreviation for for Private Mortgage Insurance. PMI takes care of the lender in case a borrower doesn't pay on the loan and the market price of the house is lower than what the borrower still owes on the loan. Once you can prove the amount you owe on your home is less than 80% of the home's market value, you can make a case to your lender to drop the PMI.

Has your home value appreciated since you first purchased? Contact J-Team Appraisers Inc. today at 910-330-9510. You may be able to cancel your Private Mortgage Insurance premium.

Should I do anything in advance of the appraisal inspection   (Back to top)

We begin with an inspection of the home. During this process, we will come to your home and measure it, determine the layout of the rooms inside, confirm all aspects of the home's general condition, and take several photos of your house for inclusion in the report. The best thing you can do to help is make sure we have easy access to the exterior of the house . Trim any shrubs and relocate any items that would make it difficult to measure the structure. Indoors, make sure we can easily access items like furnaces and water heaters.

The following items, if available, will help your appraiser to provide a more accurate appraisal in a shorter period of time:
  • A survey or plot map of the property and building (if available).
  • Information on any written private agreements, such as a shared driveway with a neighbor.
  • Any paperwork, such as a title policy with information on encroachments or easements encroachments or easements.
  • Any inspection reports, or other recent reports for termites, EIFS (synthetic stucco) wall systems, your septic system and your well.
  • Any "Homeowners Associations" agreements or, if applicable, condo agreements or fees .

How does an appraiser define "Market Value"?   (Back to top)

In real estate appraising, Market Value (as opposed to Fair Market Value) is commonly defined as:

"The most probable price (in terms of money) which a property should bring in a competitive and open market under all conditions requisite to a fair sale, the buyer and seller each acting prudently and knowledgeably, and assuming the price is not affected by undue stimulus. Implicit in this definition is the consummation of a sale as of a specified date and the passing of title from seller to buyer under conditions whereby: the buyer and seller are typically motivated; both parties are well informed or well advised, and acting in what they consider their best interests; a reasonable time is allowed for exposure in the open market; payment is made in terms of cash in United States dollars or in terms of financial arrangements comparable thereto; and the price represents the normal consideration for the property sold unaffected by special or creative financing or sales concessions granted by anyone associated with the sale."



Does the appraisal belong to the bank or the consumer?   (Back to top)

In most real estate transactions, the appraisal is ordered by the lender. While the buyer pays for the report as part of the closing costs, the lender retains the right to use the report or any information contained within. The buyer is certainly entitled to a copy of the appraisal - it's usually included with all the other closing documents - but is not allowed to use the report for any other purpose without permission from the lender.

It's different when it's the homeowner hiring the appraiser for things outside securing a mortgage. In these situations, the appraiser may define the purpose of the appraisal; for PMI removal, or estate planning or tax challenges, for example. If not stated otherwise, the home owner can do whatever they want with the appraisal.


I want to get more for my house. Where should I spend money renovating?   (Back to top)

The added value of a particular amenity truly depends on the local market. For example, while quality appliances are attractive, a $7000 built-in refrigerator won't pay off in a neighborhood of moderately priced homes

As a rule, the best ROI from renovating a home comes in the kitchen. According to one national survey, kitchen remodels returned an average of 88% of the investment. In other words, a $10,000 kitchen remodeling project would add approximately $8,800 to the value of the home. Bathrooms weren't far behind, returning 85%. Adding bedrooms and baths can also help the value of your home (when done well) as long as your home doesn't then become atypical for your neighborhood in terms of size.